Abu Dhabi, January15, 2018 – The Ministry of State for Federal National Council (FNC) Affairs held talks with faculty members at Dubai’s Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) to explore the prospects of teaching political participation as part of HCT’s curriculum.
The Ministry of State’s Undersecretary His Excellency Tariq Hilal Lootah said: “The UAE leadership believes political participation is essential for the country’s progress and for achieving sustainable and comprehensive development. Our leaders firmly believe that gradual political development is an important part of balanced growth in the country. They also believe deeply in the abilities of our young citizens, who are the segment most capable of carrying out their vision and placing the UAE ahead of other countries around the world.”
H.E. applauded the Higher Colleges of Technology for including political participation in their curriculum, which he described as a major step towards promoting political awareness and participation among the population. “This reflects the great insight of HCT officials into the youth’s capacities and their ability to shape the future of the UAE,” H.E. Lootah noted; “it also complements efforts to foster cooperation and build generations that can actively participate in the decision-making process.”
For his part, HCT Director Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi commended the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs for its efforts to promote political participation among students by collaborating with accredited academic institutions to include the subject in their curricula.
“The Higher Colleges of Technology believe in the importance of preparing students for political life, in a way that allows them to understand their community in all its social, political and economic dimensions,” Dr Al Shamsi explained, adding that since 2015, the HCT has been forming student councils by simulating FNC elections; “this enhances the students’ understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding the elections, procedures for candidacy and the roles and responsibilities they bear as citizens,” he concluded.
At the beginning of the meeting, H.E. Dr Saeed Mohammed Al Ghafli, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of State for FNC Affairs thanked Dr Abdulrahman Shaheen, President of the Arabic Language and Studies Program at the Higher Colleges of Technology, for his efforts in upgrading academic curricula to suit the requirements of all students.
H.E. Al Ghafli stressed that the UAE Constitution underlines the importance of political participation in establishing the federal system on solid foundations, explaining that the concept of “political culture” refers to a set of beliefs, values, feelings, attitudes and behavioural patterns of individuals in their relations with political power in society – especially values of freedom, loyalty, legitimacy and participation.
The lecture witnessed great interaction and extensive discussions among faculty members regarding the prospects of teaching political participation, where they raised the issues surrounding the subject of improving political awareness among students, whetting their appetite to play their part in society.